Oakland Raiders: A few players under the biggest microscope this season
By Kevin Saito
Perhaps, nobody has been more of an enigma to this Raiders organization than Amari Cooper. Taken fourth overall in 2015, Cooper has shown elite-level talent. He’s shown that he very well could be one of the best receivers in the game.
Unfortunately, he’s also shown a penchant for being one of the most frustrating with a plethora of drops and disappearing acts late in the season. Both issues have been hallmarks of his first thee seasons in the league.
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Now, entering year four, Gruden has already insisted that Cooper will be the focal point of the offense. He’s going into the season as the clear cut number one receiver in this offense.
Which is Gruden’s way of telling Cooper that it’s time to sink or swim.
Up to now, Cooper has had Michael Crabtree to rely on to help take some of the pressure off of him. Now though, with a rebuilt receiving corps that includes cagey veteran Jordy Nelson and young burner Ryan Switzer, Cooper will have to step up and prove he has what it takes to be an elite number one.
Adding even more intrigue to the mix though, is the addition of Steelers castoff Martavis Bryant – a big, physical receiver with incredible speed, talent, and upside – and seems to be the opposite of Cooper in most every way possible.
Bryant is playing on a one-year deal, and though Cooper had his fifth-year option picked up, binding him to the team through 2019, there is some sense that this is an audition for both men.
The Raiders won’t exactly be flush with cash next year, and likely won’t be able to afford to pay two receivers number one-type money. This could be a race for the cash between Bryant and Cooper, with both men being challenged to bring their A-game week in and week out.
Given that he’s the focal point of Gruden’s offense, it’s up to Cooper to step up and prove that he can be as elite as everybody believes he can be.